Exonerated Woman Eager To Be Officially Declared Innocent By State

TORRANCE (AP) — A Southern California woman who spent 17 years in prison for a murder a judge believes she didn't commit must wait another month to be declared factually innocent.

The Daily Breeze says a Los Angeles County judge granted a request Friday to delay Susan Mellen's hearing so the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office can review paperwork.

That office has agreed that Mellen was wrongfully convicted in 1997 of beating a homeless man to death.

Mellen was freed two weeks ago after Judge Mark Arnold said her conviction was based on the testimony of a notorious liar.

Mellen's attorney says the Gardena woman left prison broke and she wants a formal declaration of innocence because it would force the state to pay her about $600,000 for her years of incarceration.

Murder